The Cost of a Trip from Cambridge, Minnesota to Dallas, Texas
If you're thinking about taking a road trip from Cambridge, Minnesota to Dallas, Texas, you're probably wondering what the cost will be. This guide will break down the different possible routes and their associated costs so you can choose the best one for your budget.
Route 1: I-35W South and I-35E South
The first route option is to take I-35W South and I-35E South. This route will take you straight through Minneapolis and St. Paul before heading down through Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas before arriving in Dallas. The total distance for this route is 1,150 miles, and it takes around 18 hours and 40 minutes to complete.
According to GasBuddy, as of August 2021, the average gas price in Minnesota is $2.98 per gallon. Starting out in Cambridge, you'll need to fill up your tank before hitting the highway. You can expect to pay around $52 for a full tank of gas (assuming your car gets around 25 miles per gallon).
As you make your way through Iowa, you'll need to fill up your tank again. The average gas price in Iowa is $2.83 per gallon, so you can expect to pay around $46 for a full tank of gas.
Next up is Missouri, where the average gas price is $2.82 per gallon. You'll need to fill up your tank again in Missouri, which will cost you around $44 for a full tank of gas.
Finally, in Kansas, the average gas price is $2.79 per gallon. You'll need to fill up your tank one more time before hitting Texas. You can expect to pay around $40 for a full tank of gas in Kansas.
Once you reach Texas, the average gas price is $2.75 per gallon. You'll need to fill up your tank one final time before arriving in Dallas. This will cost you around $35 for a full tank of gas.
So, in total, the cost of gas for this route will be around $217. This does not include any other expenses you may incur during the trip (such as food, lodging, tolls, or attractions).
Route 2: I-29 South and I-35 South
Another option is to take I-29 South and I-35 South. This route takes a more western trajectory, going through South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma before arriving in Dallas. The total distance for this route is 1,200 miles, and it takes around 19 hours and 10 minutes to complete.
Starting out in Cambridge, you'll need to fill up your tank before hitting the highway. As previously mentioned, the average gas price in Minnesota is $2.98 per gallon, so you can expect to pay around $52 for a full tank of gas.
As you make your way through South Dakota, the average gas price is $3.04 per gallon. You'll need to fill up your tank here, which will cost you around $53 for a full tank of gas.
In Nebraska, the average gas price is $2.99 per gallon. You'll need to fill up your tank again in Nebraska, which will cost you around $52 for a full tank of gas.
Next up is Kansas, where the average gas price is $2.79 per gallon (as previously mentioned). You'll need to fill up your tank again in Kansas, which will cost you around $40 for a full tank of gas.
Finally, in Oklahoma, the average gas price is $2.73 per gallon. You'll need to fill up your tank one more time before arriving in Dallas. This will cost you around $38 for a full tank of gas.
The total cost of gas for this route will be around $235. Again, this does not include any other expenses you may incur during the trip.
Route 3: I-35E South Only
The final option is to take I-35E South only. This route is the most direct, taking you straight from Minnesota through Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas before arriving in Dallas. The total distance for this route is 1,030 miles, and it takes around 16 hours and 45 minutes to complete.
Starting out in Cambridge, you'll need to fill up your tank before hitting the highway (as previously mentioned, the cost will be around $52 for a full tank of gas).
In Iowa, the average gas price is $2.83 per gallon (as previously mentioned). You'll need to fill up your tank here, which will cost you around $46 for a full tank of gas.
Next up is Missouri, where the average gas price is $2.82 per gallon (as previously mentioned). You'll need to fill up your tank again in Missouri, which will cost you around $44 for a full tank of gas.
Finally, in Kansas, the average gas price is $2.79 per gallon (as previously mentioned). You'll need to fill up your tank one more time before arriving in Dallas. This will cost you around $40 for a full tank of gas.
The total cost of gas for this route will be around $182. Again, this does not include any other expenses you may incur during the trip.
Recommended Route
Based on the above information, the recommended route for those who want to minimize their gas expenses is Route 3. This route is the shortest and most direct, so you'll spend less time on the road and pay less for gas. However, if you prefer to take a more scenic route or want to stop at attractions along the way, Routes 1 and 2 may be the better options for you.
Conclusion
No matter which route you choose, driving from Cambridge, Minnesota to Dallas, Texas will be a long journey that will require several stops for gas, food, and rest. However, by planning ahead and calculating the cost of gas for each route, you can ensure that you stay within your budget and enjoy your trip without worrying about running out of funds. Safe travels!